By Peter Urban
Stephens Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON — State Rep. Clark Hall is drawing significant financial support from moderate Democrats in Congress in his bid to challenge U.S. Rep. Rick Crawford, R-Jonesboro, in the 1st Congressional District.
Hall, D-Marvell, received $19,000 from sources connected with the 25-member House Blue Dog Caucus, according to a review of a recently filed campaign financial report. U.S. Rep. Mike Ross, D-Prescott, is a leader of the moderate Democrats.
The Blue Dog PAC contributed $10,000 to Hall’s campaign. Hall also received $5,000 from Ross’ Advance Arkansas PAC, $2,000 from Ross’ campaign committee, and $2,000 from Rep. Collin Peterson, D-Minn., who is a member of the Blue Dog Caucus.
Hall raised just over $125,000 in contributions last year and ended 2011 with $107,045 cash on hand, according to the year end report filed Tuesday with the Federal Election Commission. FEC year-end reports are due at the end of January.
The Blue Dog Caucus saw its membership cut in half as a result of the 2010 mid-term elections. Several of the survivors, including Ross and Rep. Dan Boren of Oklahoma, have announced that they will not seek re-election this year.
Hall has also drawn support from House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer, D-Md., who contributed $5,000 through his Fund for a Greater America and $2,000 from his campaign committee.
Among his top Arkansas contributors are Michael and Beth Coulson, who each contributed $2,500 toward his primary campaign. Michael Coulson owns Coulson Oil of North Little Rock and has been an active member of the Arkansas Oil Marketers Association.
Hall faces Gary Latanich, a professor of economics at Arkansas State University, in a Democratic primary. Latanich, who announced his candidacy in November, has not filed a financial report with the FEC. Crawford does not have a primary challenger.
Tom Cotton, a Republican running for the Fourth District, said his campaign raised more than $540,000 in 2011, though his campaign has yet to file its year-end report with the FEC. The campaign had already raised nearly $343,000 through the end of September 2011, according to his third-quarter filing.
Cotton faces Beth Ann Rankin of Magnolia and Marcus Richmond of Harvey in the GOP primary.
Democrat Gene Jeffress has said he will seek his party’s 4th District nomination.
